But he needed sub Michy Batshuayi to pull the rabbit from the hat to ensure his act wasn’t a disappearing one.

The striker who many believe should have started scored twice to take the pressure off Chelsea’s manager and blow away the hovering dark clouds.

He combined with fellow sub Willian to change the game and ended a worrying run of three successive league defeats.

How Chelsea needed it. Because yesterday it was Watford who had Chelsea tied up in knots for long periods.

It dispelled rumours Conte had lost the dressing room because they fought hard for the boss, fans and pride after coming back from 2-1 down.

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Conte dived into the crowd when Batshuayi equalised and was first to shake his hand at the end.

He knew another defeat would have made it an uncomfortable autumn.

The last Chelsea manager to lose three in a row was back in 2015 and he got the sack before Christmas. That was Jose Mourinho.

The scoreline was credit to Chelsea’s spirit but it flattered them.

Watford, the Premier League’s new surprise package, cut through them at times with such ease it was hard to know who were the defending champions.

Watford began the game ahead of Chelsea in the table and it showed for most of the afternoon.

They had the champions chasing shadows with neat, clever one-touch football and ferociously fought to win the ball back when not in possession.

Watford all looked comfortable on the ball, attacking from all positions. They really should have put it to bed early but Richarlison missed two easy chances.

Their boss Marco Silva said: “I felt we didn’t deserve to lose. Even leaving here with one point would have been unfair to us.

“We played some good football, but their substitute’s freshened things up for them.

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Cesar Azpilicueta scored Chelsea's third goal

“Richarlison has been good for us, has deserved his praise and he will score more this season.”

Chelsea’s three-man defence was often five or six and it was only when Cesc Fabregas started spraying the ball wide to Eden Hazard they finally showed up.

And show up they did. In style.

Hazard, after winning a lucky corner, played a one-two with Fabregas and then laid the ball back for Pedro to strike a 12th minute thunderbolt from 30-yards, the ball rocketing off a far post and curling into the other corner.

There could and should have been a second five minutes later when Hazard and Alvaro Morata combined to put Fabregas totally clear, but with only Gomes to beat he foolishly, arrogantly, chose to try and chip over the Watford keeper and failed horribly.

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Hazard, who alone seemed to keep Chelsea in the game, was subject to several heavy digs and Adrian Mariappa eventually found his way into referee Jonathan Moss’s book.

Chelsea defender Cesar Azpilicueta followed soon after as tackles flowed in a frantic half.

Thibaut Courtois did well to punch out Tom Cleverley’s 36th minute free kick as Watford still funnelled forward despite their early set-back.

They constantly found gaps in Chelsea’s midfield and flanks. Chelsea relied heavily on breaks from from one Gomes brilliantly turned a 30 yard Fabregas free kick for a corner.

Watford deservedly equalised in the closing seconds of first half two minute added time.

The won a corner down their right and Cleverley ordered Jose Holebas to run from defence to take it.

Holebas slipped on the first attempt, took stick from fans, and as Moss looked at his watched, hurled his second attempt into Chelsea’s packed defence and as they failed to clear Abdoulaye Doucoure booted in through a crowd of players.

Watford should have added a second but Richarlison amazingly mis-cued Fermenia’s 48th minute cross.

Not so Fermenia a minute later when he turned in Richarlison’s cross to spark wild celebrations.

He ran into Watford’s sub bench and was squashed, patted and sprayed with water by delirious team mates.

Richarlison then blew another chance, heading wide from six yards as Watford fed off their new found confidence.

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Sub Batshuayi had been on the pitch just minutes when he equalised, turning in a 71st cross from Pedro.

It lifted Chelsea hearts. Conte emerged from his surfing dive to witness fellow sub Willian, who had instantly given Chelsea strength and confidence, swung over a 79th minute cross that flicked off Kabasele and Azpilcueta arrived on the far post to head home.

Chelsea continued to strive forward in the the final minute of five minutes of added time added the fourth, brushing off Kabasele to score after Tiemoue Bakayoko had headed on after Miguel Britos failed to clear.

It was his sixth goal coming on as substitute and puts hm level with Arsenal striker Oliver Giroud.

He won a bottle of champagne as Man of the Match and Conte’s eternal thanks.

Chelsea had won the previous 13 games against Watford in all competitions. The 14th was certainly the toughest.

Batshuayi said: “It’s been difficult for me. I have had to stay focussed. I am very happy, not just for me but the whole team.”

Vice-captain Azpilicueta said: “We needed this. Our confidence was low after their second goal but we showed tremendous fighting spirit and that was so important.”